MEREDA Blog

MEREDA’s Morning Menu – MEREDA Welcomes Dr. Habib Dagher, Executive Director, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, UMO

November 17, 2025

December 16, 2025 - 8:30 - 10:00 amBuffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 amProgram: 9:00-10:00 am Location: McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME About the Event:Dr. Habib Dagher will provide ...

Read Article

Nominations Now Being Accepted for MEREDA’s 2025 Notable Project Awards

November 14, 2025

Each year, MEREDA identifies and recognizes the most noteworthy and significant Maine commercial development projects from the previous year, all of which embody MEREDA’s belief in responsible development. Nominations are ...

Read Article

Conference guests in ballroom as presenter speaks.

MEREDA Opens Registration for its Annual Forecast Conference

November 10, 2025

Registration is open for the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) Annual Forecast Conference and Member Showcase, which will take place on February 26, 2026. The popular annual event draws ...

Read Article

Aerial view of Notable Project Receipient Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment

The Right Equation for Responsible Development: Spotlight on Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment (Portland)

November 4, 2025

MEREDA Recognizes its 2024 Notable Project Award Recipients - Each year, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) recognizes some of the state’s most “noteworthy and significant” real estate ...

MEREDA Recognizes its 2024 Notable Project Award Recipients - Each year, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) recognizes some of the state’s most “noteworthy and significant” real estate projects, completed in the previous year. The exemplary projects from across the state, completed in 2024, not only embody MEREDA’s belief in responsible real estate development, but also exemplify best practices in the industry, contributing to Maine’s economic growth by significant investment of resources and job creation statewide. This year, MEREDA honored projects from throughout the state, with each receiving special recognition at MEREDA’s 2025 “Notable Night” social celebration in May. In a multi-part series exclusive to the Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that are helping to fuel Maine’s economy in terms of investment and job creation. MEREDA is proud to recognize responsible development based upon criteria including environmental sustainability, economic impact, energy efficiency, difficulty of the development, uniqueness, social impact and job creation. Mainebiz also featured each of our Notable Project Recipients in their inaugural “Groundbreaking Maine” publication. Be sure to check it out! https://www.mainebiz.biz/special-edition/groundbreaking-maine-2025 MEREDA’s 2024 Top 9 recipients include: Firehouse Village, Firehouse Ventures & Avesta Housing (Scarborough) 99 Western Apartments, Mastway Development (Augusta) The Malone Family Tower, MaineHealth and Perkins&Will (Portland) Seaport Community Health Center, Penobscot Community Health Care (Belfast) Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, Elliotsville Foundation (T3 R7 WELS) Vertical Harvest, Vertical Harvest Maine (Westbrook) Stacy M. Symbol Apartments, Westbrook Development Corporation (Westbrook) Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment, NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties (Portland) Front Street Redevelopment, Portland Housing Authority (Portland) Please join us this week in celebrating Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment. MEREDA: Describe the building and project. NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: Redevelopment of the Mercy Hospital State Street campus into a high-density, mixed-income residential campus featuring 260 new apartments and 9 new homes, a self-storage facility, and several small retail spaces is an excellent example of smart growth. The project involved adaptive reuse of the historic hospital building, creation of outdoor public space in a shared woonerf, improvements to existing utility infrastructure, implementation of a Traffic Demand Management Plan to encourage and support alternative forms of transportation, and provision of a range of housing choice (market rate, affordable, and workforce), both for rent and for sale. In addition, the redevelopment transformed surface parking into housing, recreated the street wall along Winter Street, and stitched back together the neighborhood that had been divided when the hospital was built. MEREDA: What was the impetus for this project? NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: 2Northern Light Mercy Hospital issued a Request for Proposals in July of 2018. NewHeight Group was invited to respond along with approximately 50 other firms. NHG submitted a proposal in November 2018 with development team members Community Housing of Maine and the Portland Housing Authority. In December of 2018, NHG was one of three teams invited to interview with the selection committee. In January 2019, NewHeight Group’s successful best and final proposal was selected. MEREDA: That sounds like quite a process. How long were you in the planning stages before construction started? NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: In October of 2019 NewHeight Group executed the Purchase & Sale agreement with Northern Light Health. In December of that year, NewHeight Group entered into an agreement with Redfern Properties to complete the project as 50/50 partners. The acquisition was finalized in February of 2020 (just three weeks before Covid hit!), and the development team launched into rezoning the property, planning, permitting, extension of the period of significance for the existing National Register district, local historic approvals, Part 1 approval from the National Park Service, and hiring Zachau Construction as Construction Manager at-Risk. The project was granted full planning board approval in August of 2021. MEREDA: Tell us about the most challenging aspect of getting this project completed. NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: This project had myriad challenges. Perhaps the largest was that Mercy Hospital, the primary building, was an operating hospital right up until construction start, so the development team was unable to do any exploratory demolition prior to construction start. The building was known to contain asbestos containing material (mostly pipe wrap), but exactly how much was unknown. The building’s low ceilings also presented significant design and coordination challenges. The project also included undergrounding of existing utilities to make room for three new buildings along Winter Street—an extraordinarily complicated undertaking in this location. MEREDA: Something unexpected you learned along the way was…. NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: The development team was surprised to discover that what appeared to be original historic wooden columns buried in the walls were in fact made of concrete wrapped in a wooden veneer. While it is less surprising that many people feel a connection to the old hospital building – births, deaths, a long tenure as employee – the overwhelming number of people with a connection was a surprise. MEREDA: Now that it’s complete, what feature of the project do you think makes it the most notable? NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: Perhaps the most notable element of this project is the woonerf, a Dutch term meaning “Street for Living” which describes a space shared by pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. The woonerf is interior to the block between the historic hospital building now known as the Nightingale, and the two new construction affordable apartment buildings developed by Community Housing of Maine in partnership with the Portland Housing Authority. The woonerf functions as a shared public outdoor space and binds the buildings into a campus. The flush condition of the woonerf, along with landscaping and seating, invites pedestrian use while also allowing for slow vehicle movement and parking.

Read Article

Spotlight on Maine: News from the City of Auburn

May 4, 2021

By Liz Allen, Director of Communications & Community Engagement, City of Auburn, Maine | Photo Credit: Liz Allen AUBURN COMMITS TO GROWTH, QUALITY & INVESTMENT Exciting things are happening in ...

By Liz Allen, Director of Communications & Community Engagement, City of Auburn, Maine | Photo Credit: Liz Allen AUBURN COMMITS TO GROWTH, QUALITY & INVESTMENT Exciting things are happening in Auburn. Just ask anyone on the city’s new “growth, quality and investment” team. In September of 2018, Auburn’s city council appointed community leaders, elected officials, and school and city staff to draft a strategic plan to develop and grow the city, enhance the quality of life of residents, and invest in the city’s future. The result was a list of strategic recommendations, built around topics such as the protection of natural resources, education, transit, infrastructure, communications, and arts, culture & recreation. The final recommendations also placed meaningful focus on defining and promoting industry cluster; focusing on Great Falls Plaza, downtown & the Androscoggin River; and supporting the rehabilitation and beautification of neighborhoods. As a reflection of Auburn’s commitment to the plan, City Manager Phil Crowell has strategically aligned three city divisions. Together they form Auburn’s “growth, quality and investment” team. The three units include: Planning, Permitting and Code, led by Eric Cousens; Business and Community Development, led by Glen Holmes; and Economic and Community Development, led by Jay Brenchick. Recently, Auburn launched a promotional initiative highlighting the many opportunities available in Auburn. The campaign proclaims that in Auburn, “Your next opportunity is closer than you think.” The city also created a new website dedicated to economic development, goauburn.me. Auburn’s Mayor, Jason J. Levesque, is highly supportive of the team and thrilled by Auburn’s potential. In his recent “State of the City” address, Levesque encouraged substantial new growth, saying, “I truly believe that the best and most efficient solution is to promote growth, and to encourage and allow for more investment, specifically, the construction and sale of market rate homes. And when I say more, I mean about 2,000 more homes, over the next five to seven years. We can balance our commitment to protect our environment with our desire to grow our downtown, and our residential and industrial base.” The mayor’s enthusiasm is based upon results. Auburn has been setting records almost monthly. In fact, Auburn is reporting over 1 million new square feet of industrial and retail development throughout the city. That means more jobs, and more opportunity for current and future residents. Auburn has also had record growth in home building and rehabilitation. “You can’t miss the transformation when you drive around town these days,” added Levesque. Auburn’s population is approximately 24,000, spread out over nearly 70 square miles. “That is bigger than Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, and Cape Elizabeth combined,” said Levesque. “We have the space, the perfect location within the state, the infrastructure and the perfect team in place to grow this city mindfully and strategically.” “We encourage and invite developers to connect with us,” said City Manager Phil Crowell. “Our team is eager to share the countless positive attributes and initiatives that make Auburn so appealing.” These include a recently implemented development incentive program that cuts commercial building fees in half and eliminates residential building permit fees for Veterans; state-delegated permit reviews at a fraction of the cost of usual state fees; project and permit approval in 30 days to 3 months, which is a fraction of the time it takes elsewhere; downtown Form Based Code Districts that offer developers more creativity and the opportunity to realize greater returns on investment; and more. Auburn has also set aside $1 million to incentivize investments in downtown and has recently listed six highly desirable city-owned lots and one very historic building for sale. Auburn’s promise to those looking to invest, according to Levesque: “Let us show you why Auburn is the perfect choice for your project. Come here with an open mind and know that you will find willing and welcoming partners at city hall and regulatory consistency within city government. Our residents will welcome you and take pride in your success.” "Spotlight on Maine: News from..." is a new piece dedicated to MEREDA's member municipalities. We invite you to submit your own 500-750 word article highlighting what's happening in your own city or town. Please connect with Shelly R. Clark at [email protected] for more details on how to submit an article for consideration.

Read Article

Greater Portland Industrial Real Estate Market Update

April 20, 2021

By Justin Lamontagne, CCIM, SIOR, Partner | Designated Broker, NAI The Dunham Group On January 21st Justin presented the “Industrial Market Forecast” at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s ...

By Justin Lamontagne, CCIM, SIOR, Partner | Designated Broker, NAI The Dunham Group On January 21st Justin presented the “Industrial Market Forecast” at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) 2021 Virtual Forecast Conference. Below is a modified version of NAI The Dunham Group’s Market Survey. Mike Tyson famously said, “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. Well, we were all punched in the mouth in 2020 and our plans went kaput. But in a year when everything we knew as “normal” changed, the Greater Portland industrial real estate market was a welcome oasis of continuity. In spite of, and in large part because of, the historical challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, this sector had another banner year. For the 6th consecutive year, our overall vacancy rate was below 4%. In fact, when we pulled the data in December, our overall rate was a paltry 2.44%. Beyond the statistics, during the early days of the pandemic, I had a revelation. It dawned on me just how important the industrial market is, not just to property owners and brokers, but to humanity. Many of the Phase I “essential” businesses were industrial in nature. Industries like food production, distribution, utility and manufacturing companies were open and operating, allowing the masses the luxury of staying home and quarantining safely. Thanks to many industrial businesses and workers we flattened the initial curve and some slivers of normalcy remained in our lives. The ability of the industrial sector to adapt and prosper despite the pandemic-related changes to our world was one of the more fascinating trends to track in 2020. For example, many Maine-based industrial manufactures pivoted quickly and profitably, producing Personal Protection Equipment for front-line workers. Our beloved craft brewers created alternative purchase options (curbside pick-up is here to stay!). And several leveraged their brewing equipment and knowledge to “craft” hand sanitizers and sprays. Most impactful, from an absorption and transactional standpoint, was the dramatic growth in local life science and laboratories that focused on Covid-19 testing and treatments. Abbot Labs, in particular, experienced a nearly 300,000 SF industrial expansion in 2020. In addition, the onshoring of manufacturing work has driven several significant expansions in that sector. So much so that there is a lot of discussion within the sector of recruiting laid-off hospitality and retail workers who probably never considered a job in manufacturing. Restricting these advances, however, is the aforementioned inventory crunch. As a result, both owner-user and developer-led new industrial construction increased in 2020. There are a number of new industrial developments and offerings in Southern Maine, most notably the Innovation District at Scarborough Downs. This development has seen great success, with over 65% of all lots sold or under contract. And, more generally, this confirms our sense that building new is a real option for industrial users. It is no longer a last resort. I continue to be amazed at the fiercely competitive and ever rising sales market. Virtually every industrial sale in 2021 set a record for its area. Overall, we are averaging near $80/sf, but that’s statistically deflated due to some larger SF sales. Anything under 20,000 SF is now easily in the $90-100/sf range. Premium sales are much higher. Not to mention the low-cap investment sales market. Indeed, the capital market has never been hotter. We are now regularly seeing 7% cap rates for well-located Class-A & B facilities, if not lower. And investor-appetite for risk continues to increase with shorter lease commitments, shakier tenants and expanding geographics. With larger, institutional competition discovering our market, many smaller, local investors are on the sidelines. But opportunities remain for those who are well plugged into the market. A number of the more successful investment sales of the year were off-market, local deals and that trend is likely to continue into 2021. Of course, I hesitate to present a purely glowing overview and forecast of the industrial market. The truth is, we don’t know what we don’t know when it comes to this pandemic. This is truly unlike anything any of us has ever gone through. So, I think it is irresponsible to simply say that the industrial market is immune from all the negative effects of Covid-19. There very well may be impacts coming that we have not even considered nor imagined. That said, all the economic indicators we track suggest a vibrant year. And the turbulent world events around us continue to foster the importance of domestic production, storing and shipping of stuff. That bodes well for the industrial market. Heck, even a Mike Tyson left hook didn’t keep this sector down in 2020…so bring it on, 2021!

Read Article

Central Maine Real Estate Weathering Pandemic, Poised For Growth

April 13, 2021

By Frank Carr, Assistant Broker, MRA The 2020 real estate market in central Maine has faced pandemic-related challenges just like the rest of the world. The good news: while the market ...

By Frank Carr, Assistant Broker, MRA The 2020 real estate market in central Maine has faced pandemic-related challenges just like the rest of the world. The good news: while the market faced many challenges in 2020, central Maine is in a position to come out of a tough year and make 2021 a year to remember. Last year’s market was highlighted by low leased vacancy and low workforce occupancy. In Lewiston, for example, TD Bank and Maine Community Health Options are still paying rent, but workers are at home. The same thing is happening in Augusta with the Maine State buildings and also the Waterville Colby properties. Driving the market are smaller users, 3,500-sq.-ft. and below. At MRA, agents are working hard to place these tenants because the bigger entities aren’t making decisions quite yet. In central Maine, residential is really driving the market. (I call it “flight to isolation” as more and more people leave denser population areas especially in Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut.) It’s also a “flight to quality/commute” that’s changing the face of residential real estate in our state. Look At The Data: Lewiston/Auburn Lewiston/Auburn experienced a relatively flat office market in 2020, including the University of Southern Maine’s decision to delay their highly anticipated move to downtown. In these two highly connected Maine cities, it’s again residential driving the market with companies like Chinberg Properties working on major projects like the Continental Mill, as well as Pineland Lumber (a 250-unit development for medical workforce housing) and more. One major goal in this area: connect the new Auburn area down to the Mill District in Lewiston, which will set the entire area up for further growth. “Thankfully we haven’t heard any huge changes to businesses office space plans,” says Misty Parker, Lewiston’s economic development manager. “The next six months will really be telling. A lot of businesses are looking at 2021 as a planning year to come back. There’s definitely a need for smaller offices for smaller businesses. People have been cooped up for so long that having an independent, safe space to conduct business is valuable.” L/A Forecast: Lewiston/Auburn will make a swift and speedy return. When USM resumes their search for downtown space, the market is going to escalate quickly. The entire area is looking at major office movement this year. In residential, it’s going to be important to offer a premium product to capture renters’ attention. The multiple new projects coming online in the next year will make residential absorption a little flat because there’s so much product coming online, but it will happen. Pro Tip: Small is good. In summer 2020, MRA took a large professional office building (The Professional Building on Lisbon Street) and subdivided it to give professionals working at home a chance to get out of the house. The entire property hit full occupancy within a month of acquisition. Look At The Data: Augusta Due to so many readily apparent factors, vacancies are popping up in the office market, but local users remain engaged. The good news: sales are happening, including the monster sale of space developed by FD Stonewater for Maine DHHS and PERS to Winthrop Advisors out of Boston for $39-million dollars—a clear record for 2020. Another mega transaction for central Maine, 442 Civic Center Drive for $8.7-million dollars. “We’re coming off one of the historically biggest economic cliff drops in recorded history,” says Keith Luke, Augusta’s economic development director. “Here in Augusta, remarkably, the development picture has remained hot and there’s certainly lots of untapped development potential here.” Augusta Forecast: There is activity in the market. Multifamily is fueling the growth in Augusta, as well, with quality developments keeping the market here on track. Slow office absorption and flat rent increases are facts on the ground that will hinge on the country and state’s ongoing response to and management of coronavirus. Pro Tip: Even though smaller deals are happening in Augusta, there is activity. Look out for smaller buyers and renters to get a return on investment. When it comes to industrial, look at land development projects with 5,000-25,000-sq.-ft. of industrial space. Install necessities including docks and floor drains to create demand. Look At The Data: Waterville Don’t forget about Waterville! It’s been a year on pause with Colby College and other major players taking time to get back on track post-pandemic. As students go back to school and companies kick back into gear, Waterville is going to be just fine. Waterville is hot right now! The industrial market is benefitting from cannabis industry growth, and residential is absolutely on fire with multifamily transactions closing at an all-time high rate. Waterville Forecast: Look for rents across all sectors to go up in this area considerably as the inventory is reduced and existing product is leased up. Sales are happening in Waterville, though on a much smaller scale as far as space and price. Pro Tip: Waterville is a tough market to move into, but there are opportunities in smaller developments. There are deals going through left and right, including two big projects under development, The Seton Project (68 residential units, 35,000-sq.-ft. of development--the old Maine General Hospital); and FirstPark has industrial lots available with excellent infrastructure in place. Summing It Up Overall, all of the players in the central Maine real estate market have been biding their time on breaking new ground while keeping existing projects on-time and -budget. Surprisingly given the pandemic, there’s a well-grounded optimism at play that speaks to the “It’s a scary, yet promising time to be involved in central Maine,” says Parker. “Our planning department is hoping to analyze current zoning standards to see where we can support additional commercial, industrial and residential housing opportunities by encouraging density where it makes sense while not changing the character of neighborhoods”

Read Article

The Next Edition of the MEREDA Index will be Unveiled on May 20

April 7, 2021

As a key economic indicator for Maine, the MEREDA Index measures the pulse of the state’s real estate industry. The MEREDA Index is the leading way our industry tracks changes ...

Read Article

MEREDA’s 2021 Spring Conference is May 20th! – Unveiling of the 2021 MEREDA Index & Recognition of 2020 Notable Project Recipients

April 6, 2021

Virtual EventMay 20, 20218:30 - 11:00 AMThe Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) is excited to virtually bring you its 2021 Spring Conference from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM ...

Read Article

Midcoast Maine Market Forecast

March 23, 2021

By Dave Holman, Broker, RE/MAX Riverside Commercial On January 21st Dave Holman, Broker at RE/MAX Riverside Commercial, presented the “Midcoast Maine Market Forecast” at the Maine Real Estate & Development ...

By Dave Holman, Broker, RE/MAX Riverside Commercial On January 21st Dave Holman, Broker at RE/MAX Riverside Commercial, presented the “Midcoast Maine Market Forecast” at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) 2021 Virtual Forecast Conference. Below is a synopsis of his presentation. There’s something exciting happening in Maine’s Midcoast. While much of the fervor in Maine’s real estate market has focused around Portland and areas to the south like Biddeford, the markets of Brunswick, Topsham and Bath have quietly gone from a steady simmer to a rolling boil. At a glance the multifamily numbers might not impress- 43 building sales in 2016 and 40 in 2020. However, eyebrows should raise when one realizes that prices per apartment unit have gone from averaging $63,779 in 2016 to $101,757 in 2020 with no sign of slackening. That represents a 13% annual growth rate that has only accelerated during COVID. Residential price growth averaged 9% over the same 5-year period- far surpassing state and national averages. Why has the Midcoast got wind in its sails? There are the usual suspects like great schools, lots of scenic coastline just a short drive from Portland, and long-time employers like Bowdoin College and BIW. However, there is new energy in the Midcoast- much of it coming from Brunswick Landing- Maine’s largest business park which has grown out of the ashes of the former Naval Air base which closed in 2011. In just 9 years Brunswick landing has created over 2,300 new jobs in over 2,000,000 square feet of real estate and built over 500,000 square feet of new construction. Brunswick Landing hosts a mix of high tech and biotech firms from Wayfair and SMCC to Savilinx and Mölnlycke which are helping in the fight against COVID. Local favorites like Wild Oats Bakery and Flight Deck Brewing have broken ground in recent years and kept workers well fed and content. Hundreds of existing housing units at Brunswick Landing have slowly filled up and now over 100 new multifamily units and 100 single family homes are under construction. Both the Topsham Fair Mall and Cooks Corner have seen brisk business, new construction on multiple sites and new arrivals to the area. All three towns have recently invested tens of millions into new school buildings. Located on the 295 and Route 1 highway corridors, these towns are poised for growth as Portland prices out its workforce with every new condo conversion. Additionally, Brunswick is the northern terminus of the Amtrak Downeaster that takes remote workers, students and super commuters to Boston every day. Up in Bath, the historic downtown has seen a boom of new building ownership as the Morse family has gracefully transitioned ownership of over a dozen buildings in the hands of their small business tenants. The Szanton company is building 50 new housing units in the downtown and there is a distinct feeling of revitalization in the air on the Kennebec River. As growth spreads up from Boston into York and Cumberland counties, Maine’s quaint Midcoast is feeling the heat and charting its own future. The growth is fueled by a higher percentage of out of state buyers and new residents coming for jobs. After all, in times when people can increasingly work from anywhere, wouldn’t you want to live and work in a great small town on the Maine coast that embodies our state motto, ‘the way life should be.’

Read Article

MEREDA’s Virtual Trivia Night to Benefit Student Scholarship Fund SOLD OUT!

March 15, 2021

Thank you to our members for your overwhelming support! This event has now SOLD OUT! If you are still interested in donating to the Scholarship Fund, please contact Shelly Clark ...

Read Article

Virtual Event – Senior Housing in Maine: Today, Tomorrow, & Beyond

March 11, 2021

Virtual EventThursday, April 8, 20218:30 – 9:30 AMAbout the Event:Maine Designers, Developers, Contractors and Business Owners are already working for the AGING BABY BOOMERS!Older adults are the biggest part of ...

Virtual EventThursday, April 8, 20218:30 – 9:30 AMAbout the Event:Maine Designers, Developers, Contractors and Business Owners are already working for the AGING BABY BOOMERS!Older adults are the biggest part of our Maine population, by far, and they need INTELLIGENT AND APPROPRIATE HOUSING SOLUTIONS!What does it mean to be “Aging in Maine”? What are we doing today and who is making important decisions about the practices, care and future of our housing needs?Join us on April 8th to hear from three deeply embedded and important contributors to this statewide issue. Wendy Nowokunski, Co-Founder and President of Northbridge Companies, an organization that developed, owns and operates 18 facilities in New England. Deb Fournier, Chief Operations Officer of Maine Veterans' Homes which supports our veterans and spouses of veterans with subsidized housing and six facilities here in Maine.Denise Lord, Senior Director of Communications and Planning from Maine Housing, a financing agency commissioned by the State of Maine, which supports our Mainers that are aging in place with energy assistance programs and home improvement programs. Craig Young, Partner at The Boulos Company, and Vice President of MEREDA, will moderate the program.FMI and to Register, visit www.mereda.orgIf you plan to purchase tickets, please use Google Chrome. To avoid registration issues, we have found that Chrome interacts the best with our website.TICKET PRICES:Members: Suggested Donations of $0, $10, $15, or $20Non-Members: $25 ppIn addition to your confirmation email, a day before the event you will receive a separate email providing the link you will need to access the session. Please be watching for this 2nd email.REFUND POLICY: No refunds will be issued unless the originating stream fails and the program can’t take place. MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Series is Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank

Read Article

The Greater Portland Retail Forecast

March 9, 2021

By Peter Harrington, Partner & Associate Broker, Malone Commercial Brokers On January 21st Peter Harrington, Malone Commercial Brokers, presented the “Greater Portland Retail Forecast” at the Maine Real Estate & ...

By Peter Harrington, Partner & Associate Broker, Malone Commercial Brokers On January 21st Peter Harrington, Malone Commercial Brokers, presented the “Greater Portland Retail Forecast” at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) 2021 Virtual Forecast Conference. Below is a synopsis of his presentation. 2020 brought rapid, unprecedented change across the retail industry, potentially altering the way customers shop going forward. And, retailers are necessarily adapting to these changes and the resulting trends for the coming year in order to maintain a competitive edge in 2021. Certainly, 2020 was a challenge in all respects due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in March and subsequent phased re-openings that began during the summer months in Maine. As expected, vacancy rates increased as some retail businesses failed and closed. Landlords and tenants both were challenged to manage and remain competitive in a constantly shifting market. Many sectors of retail struggled, especially bars, dine-in restaurants, gyms, small and boutique retailers, wedding businesses, hotels and most tourism related operations, a mainstay of Maine’s economy. In Greater Portland, the Maine Mall has been stung by many retail closings (Sears, Williams Sonoma and more) but others opened (notably Jordan’s Furniture at the Mall and Planet Fitness nearby). Other retailers throughout Southern Maine appear to be in jeopardy and are attempting to stay afloat in the coming months, 2021 could see a larger rise in the retail vacancy rate. However, many were successful; grocery and small markets, liquor, take-out and home delivery food outlets, outdoor athletic and sporting goods, drugstores, home goods (furniture to building supply stores) bank branches, and large on-line retailers. In Portland’s Old Port and Waterfront districts there was quite a bit of activity: Sea Bags moved into the former Company C space; Chilton Furniture opened a showroom at 100 Commercial; Mexicali Blues relocated, and Bobbles & Lace, Uncommon Paws, Kate Nelligan/Local Color all opened new doors. Notable because of COVID-19, new restaurants opened. Broken Arrow in Portland, and in the suburbs Clean Eatz, Tacos Y Tequila, SoPo Seafood, Café Louis. An important, trending driver is residential Maine home sales. January through November was 7.9% ahead of the comparable time-period for 2019 – Maine’s best year ever! A third of November sales were to out-of-state buyers compared to 1/4 in 2019. As a matter of fact, real estate accounted for $12.2 B (18% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)) in 2019; in 2020 the real estate GDP was $1.2B higher in sales (thru Nov. 2020). Add to this that everyone was sitting at home during the lockdowns in their existing homes, deciding to improve their home/backyard in some shape or form. This was a MAJOR driver of the retailers who were successful in 2020. It cannot be underestimated the tremendous impact this has had on the Maine economy and on retail sales during the past year. Not only was this a boom for retailers, but it was also a boom for homeowners whose increased wealth effect of 22% increased their confidence in the economy. This has a huge positive impact on contractors and subcontractors – good luck finding an electrician, carpenter, or plumber! As we enter 2021, we can expect the challenge and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to be felt in the retail industry for months to come. To be sure, e-commerce will continue to grow to meet people’s needs and desire for “contactless” shopping. And there will be resurging focus on “local” in both sourcing and shopping as well as take-out and same day food delivery. Looking ahead are trends we see that will endure, grow and transform the Greater Portland market and throughout Maine: Retail Marijuana - Portland alone approved 32 retail licenses, not all will open, but many will. Restaurants - As the country reopens and vaccinations expand, restaurants will rebound. Restaurants are an integral part of the Portland and Maine's economy. This will bring much needed relief to restaurant owners and employees. ROCK ROW - Music venue and new retail center in Westbrook, Market Basket opened in 2020 with more retailers to open here soon including Chick-Fil-A. Brick & Mortar Retail - It should rally in 2021, as vaccinations increase. Businesses spent more in 2020 on everything other than physical space. This should change, but by how much remains to be seen. Online Shopping - Tries to mimic reality but lacks the experience of in-person shopping. We haven't evolved to be people who sit at home in isolation. We need the physical connection to each other and many of the products we use! To what extent brick & mortar retail recovers will depend on COVID-19 and the economy. Flexibility - Tenants and landlords will need to be flexible. Not many retailers are signing long-term leases with the inherent risk in them. There will likely be a common risk approach, i.e. break point leases: if a tenant does well, they pay more. This is becoming more popular nationally and moving forward that trend will be seen more in Maine. Lease Rates - Future rates, looking ahead, will begin to moderate. As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and vaccinations expand, Old Port sidewalks will once again be streaming with shoppers. Retailers will fling open their doors; and our wonderful restaurants will once again be teeming with Life!

Read Article

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Virtual Event – Senior Housing in Maine: Today, Tomorrow, & Beyond

March 8, 2021

April 8, 2021 8:30 - 9:30 AM Maine Designers, Developers, Contractors and Business Owners are already working for the AGING BABY BOOMERS! Older adults are the biggest part of our ...

Read Article

How to comply with Maine’s new paid leave law

March 2, 2021

by: Laura A. Rideout, Partner, Preti Flaherty Article originally published on November 13, 2020 Fittingly, “Vacation Land” is among a small contingent of states that have a paid leave law ...

by: Laura A. Rideout, Partner, Preti Flaherty Article originally published on November 13, 2020 Fittingly, “Vacation Land” is among a small contingent of states that have a paid leave law on the books. Maine, however, is somewhat unique in that the paid leave afforded under the new law can be used for any purpose, including emergency, illness, birth of a child, sudden necessity, planned vacation, etc. The law has been on the books since 2019 and goes into effect on January 1, 2021. The law applies across industries (except seasonal industries) to all employers in the state with more than 10 employees for more than 120 days in any calendar year. Further, the law applies to all employees, whether full-time, part-time, temporary, or per diem. While many Maine employers already offer a paid leave benefit to employees, it will be necessary to audit existing policies and practices to make sure that they are in line with the new requirements. Other employers that currently do not offer any type of paid leave will need to develop a brand-new policy or protocol to ensure compliance. This high-level overview is designed to serve as a helpful checklist so that Maine employers can ensure that they have policies and procedures in place to comply with the new paid leave law: Accrual Under the new law, employees accrue one hour of “Earned Paid Leave” for every forty hours worked, up to forty hours in a defined year. This is a minimum requirement and employees can bargain for, or employers can offer, a more generous benefit. Employees are entitled to start using this leave once they have been employed for 120 days, but employers can allow employees to access paid leave sooner, if desired. Employers can also choose to front load Earned Paid Leave so that it is available to employees at the beginning of the year. Notice Employers can require employees to give up to four weeks of advance notice to use Earned Paid Leave for any reason other than an emergency, illness, or sudden necessity. Employers can also place reasonable limits on scheduling of leave to prevent undue hardship. It is helpful to evaluate operational needs and outline when there may be restrictions on an employee’s ability to take Earned Paid Leave. In the case of emergency, illness, or sudden necessity, employees must provide notice as soon as practicable under the circumstances. Employers must be able to prove undue hardship (significant operational impact or expense) if requested Earned Paid Leave is denied. Time Increments Employers may require use of Earned Paid Leave in at least one-hour increments or can choose to allow employees to use leave in smaller time increments. Roll Over Employees can carry over up to forty hours of Earned Paid Leave from one year to the next, but the maximum amount of Earned Paid Leave available in any year under the statute does not exceed forty hours. Separation Employers that allow front loading of Earned Paid Leave can withhold from the last paycheck any amount of leave that was used but that had not yet accrued. Employers are not required to pay out the unused balance of Earned Paid Leave when an employee separates unless that practice exists related to another existing policy (i.e., vacation time). If Earned Paid Leave is not paid out at separation and the employee returns to work within the same year, the employee must be allowed to use any accrued but unused Earned Paid Leave. Posters Download and post the most current Bureau of Labor Standard’s “Regulation of Employment” poster. Collective Bargaining The law does not apply to employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement during the period between 1/1/2021 and when the agreement expires. There are additional nuances that may apply to your business or workforce. Consult Maine Department of Labor regulations and guidance for more information. Article originally published on November 13, 2020 https://www.preti.com/laura-a-rideout/publications/how-to-comply-with-maines-new-paid-leave-law/

Read Article

Pandemic brings new realtors and new perspectives to Maine

February 23, 2021

By Dava Davin, Founder + CEO, Portside Real Estate Group Article originally published December 4, 2020 When we first saw headlines about COVID-19 in early 2020, we had no idea ...

By Dava Davin, Founder + CEO, Portside Real Estate Group Article originally published December 4, 2020 When we first saw headlines about COVID-19 in early 2020, we had no idea what it would mean for Maine and the immense ways it would change our lives. We have seen loss, and wrestled with hard choices for our families and our businesses. But – we have seen bright spots, too – far beyond the record home sale price headlines. Neighbors getting to know each other, local companies stepping up to support those in need, and new realtors bringing fresh ideas to meet today’s market challenges. At Portside, we’ve been lucky to welcome some of these new faces, including Alexandra Diaz, Associate Broker and Jesse Fifield, Associate Broker. Both Alexandra and Jesse spent summers visiting Maine and had strong family ties to the area. When COVID-19 hit Manhattan and Boston, they each decided it was time to make the place they vacationed their permanent home. 1 in 3 The latest stats show what we have all seen in our own offices: Maine is experiencing a boom of out-of-state buyers. One in every three buyers right now are from away/ These new buyers are bringing enthusiasm for life in Maine, and unique challenges that Alexandra knows firsthand. “With a growing family at the time of the first lockdown in March, we found ourselves reevaluating our lives in Manhattan and wanting more nature, space and a slower pace.” Alexandra notes that Maine realtors need to understand the motivations behind these moves, the markets that buyers are coming from and the logistical challenges of purchasing a new home during a pandemic. “These buyers are not moving because they need another bedroom or because they’re empty nesters,” said Diaz. “They are moving because life as they know it has been upended. They may finally be able to make their dream move come true or they could be leaving a metropolis that feels empty after so much loss.” Technology With more buyers viewing properties from afar, and social distancing limiting how realtors can show homes in person, technology has become vital in real estate selling and buying. While most realtors in Maine have long since mastered online listings and know the importance of professional photography, those tactics have always been focused on getting buyers to see a home. Now, technology needs to sell the home as well, and that requires a different skill set. Working for the past decade in Boston, Jesse has frequently represented international buyers and marketed properties directly to international buyers and investors. “It is surprising how comfortable buyers are these days with sight unseen purchases” Jesse recommends that Maine realtors invest in video technology and become comfortable with hosting tours via Zoom and FaceTime. To kick technology offerings up a notch, realtors can create short video segments and resource guides about the communities they work in. These should be designed to give buyers a feel for what it would be like to live and be a part of that community and offer connections for relocation needs like schools, doctors and pet services. Bidding Wars Maine’s real estate market has been on the upswing for the past ten years, but we have never seen anything like our current situation. Inventory is low and demand is high, with home prices jumping 15 percent in the past year. These market conditions are challenging for buyers, who will likely need to compete to purchase a home. Throwing contingencies and all-cash offers are common in major real estate markets but have not been the norm in Maine. Both Jesse and Alexandra have navigated these dynamics and share that preparing buyers is crucial. “Realtors need to be upfront in the beginning of the process and set reasonable expectations with buyers,” said Diaz. “The buyer should know if a home is likely to go over asking price, be prepared to make fast decisions and know that it could take some time.” These factors can create extra emotional tension as buyers weigh their options and comfort level with their housing needs. Knowing your clients well can help navigate this dynamic and make for smoother transactions. “Buying is always an emotional process, but when people feel rushed or that their budget is getting pushed to the max, things can get heated,” said Fifield. “I like to take time to know my buyers, their personal situation and comfort level. This can help weed out opportunities that are likely to be a bad fit.” Looking forward 2020 has been a wild ride for the real estate industry and these trends will no doubt carry over into 2021. As we start the new year, I know we can thrive as an industry if we bring together the rooted knowledge of our seasoned Maine realtors with the fresh ideas of our new colleagues. Article originally published December 4, 2020

Read Article

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Virtual Event – Cannabis Industry Update

February 19, 2021

March 18, 2021 8:30 - 9:30 AM The cannabis industry is proving to be a cash crop for the State of Maine. Join us on the 18th of March, 2021 ...

Read Article

How COVID 19 Affected Commercial Lending

February 16, 2021

In many ways, the beginning of 2020 was the best of times for commercial lenders – stable rates, lots of deal flow and few loan delinquencies. That would quickly deteriorate ...

In many ways, the beginning of 2020 was the best of times for commercial lenders – stable rates, lots of deal flow and few loan delinquencies. That would quickly deteriorate by March/April due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, to one of the worst public health and economic crises in modern history. “Coming into the pandemic, the bank was busier than it had ever been,” said Kim Twitchell, Maine Regional President for NBT Bank. “Once the pandemic hit, the bank made a concerted effort to put the health and wellbeing of all of its clients and employees first.” Like most businesses, commercial banks closed their doors and sent their people home on or about Friday the 13th of March 2020. But while the doors were locked, business would need to continue. As busy as lenders were in the first quarter completing existing deal flow, the second quarter would be consumed with processing PPP loans as a result of the government sponsored Cares Act. Lenders offered clients the right to defer two months mortgage payments or to pay interest only on their loans for up to six months. Bankers were busy servicing their business clients’ needs, and new loan closings were often delayed. Nationally, commercial loan closings between Q1 and Q2 decreased by 29.3%. As part of the Cares Act, if you had a loan with SBA that closed on or before April 2020, and funded by September 2020, then SBA automatically forgave (not just deferred) 100% of all payments for 6 months on all 504 and 7A loans – not the commercial banking part of the loan, but just the SBA portion. Reportedly, the Hero’s Act, the second stimulus package which is still in negotiations in Congress, will include another six months of loan forgiveness to all SBA loans covered in the 504 and 7A programs. According to the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, by June 2020 79% of community banks increased lending to small business and farms – a 40% year-on-year increase. Commercial loan growth was accompanied by a 33% surge in banking deposits. “While deposits are generally seen as good for banks”, said Matt Early of Gorham Savings Bank, “this also created an issue for us to put the new deposits to work. Banks could either lend more money to the community, which historically provides a better return for the bank, but today is seen as riskier, or take a lesser return and invest in U.S. Treasuries. We choose to lend more.” Today, many bankers have returned to their physical offices, and conventional and SBA loan volume has increased substantially. Interest rates have decreased by approximately 100 basis points (or roughly 1%). Commercial lending rates are harder to gauge, due to the varying types of loans, terms, size, etc., but loans through SBA all have the same interest rate regardless of industry or size and are only dependent on loan term. For example, in January 2020, a 20-year fixed SBA loan was 3.78%. By August, rates dropped to a low of 2.33%, and today, SBA’s rate is 2.65%. Comparatively, that same SBA loan in November 2018 was 5.39%. That’s more than a 50% reduction in the rate in two years. According to Paul Collins, VP at Granite State Development Corp, loan volume with his company has increased 25% in Maine and 14% in New England. “The market is ultra-competitive”, says Collins. “Any deal that is deemed strong is shopped between several banks, and banks are winning deals by including the lower rates of SBA 504 program while also reducing the bank risk. It’s a deal.” So, what can you expect from your friendly neighborhood banker today? In addition to lower interest rates, there are more Zoom calls and less in person meetings; you’ll complete more banking transactions virtually through DocuSign and email and there are many more questions and scrutiny of how the COVID-19 pandemic is currently affecting your business or potentially how will it will impact your business in the future, particularly in the Hospitality sector. But, the banks have money to lend and are actively looking for good deals with good business plans. By Craig Young, CCIM, Partner, The Boulos Company Article originally published November 17, 2020 - https://boulos.com/how-covid-19-affected-commercial-lending/

Read Article

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Event – Cutting Edge Tech: The University of Maine Composites Center

February 4, 2021

Virtual EventWednesday, February 24, 20218:30 – 9:30 AMAbout the Event:Dr. Habib Dagher, P.E. is the founding Executive Director of the Advanced Structures & Composites Center, a National Science Foundation funded ...

Virtual EventWednesday, February 24, 20218:30 – 9:30 AMAbout the Event:Dr. Habib Dagher, P.E. is the founding Executive Director of the Advanced Structures & Composites Center, a National Science Foundation funded research center housed in an 100,000 ft2 laboratory with more than 220 full and part-time personnel. The UMaine Composites Center is a world leader in the development of low-cost, high-performance structural composites for construction. The Center has served more than 500 clients worldwide, and has received top national awards for its research.A world-leading advocate for developing advanced structural systems which simultaneously optimize structures, materials, and construction, we are excited to hear about the work he and his team are working on at the University of Maine at Orono.Joining Dr. Dagher will be Caleb Johnson, a Licensed Architect at Caleb Johnson Studio. He has a studio in Portland, a custom millwork shop in Brunswick and a construction company. The two will be discussing Dr. Dagher’s building science and energy research, and the implicit benefits and impacts of his work.Vice President of MEREDA, Shannon Richards of Hay Runner, will be moderating the program.TICKET PRICES:Members: Suggested Donations of $0, $10, $15, or $20Non-Members: $25 ppIf you plan to purchase tickets, please use either Microsoft Edge, Firefox or Google Chrome. Our software isn’t compatible with Internet Explorer.Registration is Open at www.mereda.org In addition to your confirmation email, a day before the event you will receive a separate email providing the link you will need to access the session. Please be watching for this 2nd email.REFUND POLICY: No refunds will be issued unless the originating stream fails and the program can’t take place. MEREDA's Morning Menu Breakfast Series is Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank

Read Article

A Fantastic Group of Five: MEREDA Honors Leaders in Real Estate and Development at Recent Forecast Conference

February 2, 2021

On January 21, 2021, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) recognized five exceptional individuals for their significant and lasting contributions to real estate development in the state of Maine. The awards were presented via a video presentation at this year’s annual Forecast Conference. William Shanahan of Scarborough was selected for the Robert B. Patterson Jr. Founders’ Award, for his extraordinary commitment and dedication to MEREDA over the years, as well as for his role as a valued liaison between MEREDA and the affordable housing community. This is his second Founders’ Award. In addition to serving on MEREDA’s board and its executive committee, Bill served as Treasurer for 15 years, and Assistant Treasurer for 1 year. He was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award in 2009, was one of two recipients of the President’s Award presented in 2010, and received his first Founders’ Award in 2016 for his instrumental role in the organization. A founding Co-President of Evernorth, Bill leads his team in investing, finance, and acquisitions. Evernorth, a nonprofit organization serving low- and moderate-income people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, was formed by joining together Northern New England Housing Investment Fund and Housing Vermont. Bill joined Northern New England Housing Investment Fund in 2000 as Vice President/CFO and was named president in 2011. Prior to this, Bill spent over ten years as Director of Development and CFO for Realty Resources Chartered, a Maine-based for-profit developer of affordable housing. An active member of the affordable housing community, Bill also serves as President of the National Association of State and Local Equity Funds, is the Board Chair of the Genesis Community Loan Fund, has chaired and continues to serve on the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition Board, and is on the Governing Board of Housing Action New Hampshire. This year’s President’s Award went to two outstanding individuals -- Elizabeth Frazier of Portland and Tom Schoening of Kennebunk -- for their significant contributions on MEREDA’s behalf. Having lent their leadership to develop the newly inaugurated Local Issues Committee, both Elizabeth and Tom have gone above and beyond to bring this Committee and local issues to the forefront for MEREDA and its membership. An associate at Pierce Atwood, Elizabeth authored MEREDA’s Developer’s Toolkit and was involved in the tireless advocacy work on MEREDA’s behalf around the recent City of Portland referenda. Engaging with commercial real estate and development matters at both the local and state level, Elizabeth has worked on land use referenda campaigns and ordinance proposals at the municipal level, statewide zoning policies, and public financing for development projects. She focuses her practice on government relations, lobbying, business advocacy, and environmental and land use policy. An associate at Drummond & Drummond, Tom’s recent advocacy work on the potential moratorium on development in South Portland was instrumental, and he serves as chair of MEREDA’s Local Issues Committee. Practicing law in the corporate and commercial real estate group, Tom’s work focuses on commercial real estate and business transactions, helping clients cure title issues and navigate real estate disputes. Kevin Sutherland of Saco received this year’s Public Policy Award for his significant impact on public policy changes to benefit responsible real estate development and ownership in Maine. As a member of MEREDA’s Public Policy and Local Issues Committees, Kevin stepped up to volunteer his time and energy to work on issues that matter to MEREDA. From helping craft MEREDAʹs response to the Maine Climate Council draft report, to representing MEREDA before the Portland and South Portland City Councils, Kevin has proven to be an invaluable asset to MEREDA. The Director of Business Development at Hardypond Construction, Kevin’s goal is to help Hardypond be a part of community development projects that propel southern Maine forward. Previously, Kevin has worked in municipal government roles including Chief of Staff for the city of Ithaca, New York and as City Administrator for Saco, Maine. Mark Stasium of Portland received this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award for generously sharing his time, talents, and energy with MEREDA. Mark serves on the MEREDA board as Treasurer and this year he meticulously built an entirely new format for MEREDA’s budget--no easy task during a pandemic--a document that will serve the organization well into the future. Always willing to step up on other initiatives when needed, Mark also volunteers his time on MEREDA’s Conference and Seminar Committee and on MEREDA’s Executive Committee. With over 30 years of commercial lending and commercial credit experience, Mark is Senior Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Lending Division at Camden National Bank. He manages banking relationships with commercial real estate investors and developers and is primarily responsible for originating commercial real estate loan transactions in northern New England and eastern Massachusetts. MEREDA congratulates these five outstanding members, and thanks every volunteer whose contributions of time and talent make the association’s continued success possible. L to R: Tom Schoening, Elizabeth Frazier, Kevin Sutherland, Mark Stasium, William Shanahan

Read Article

Focusing on the Adaptability and Resiliency of Maine, MEREDA Brings Real Estate Experts Together to Forecast the Future

January 26, 2021

On Thursday, January 21, over 500 of Maine’s real estate and development professionals gathered virtually to learn about the latest insights on the real estate economy at the Maine Real ...

On Thursday, January 21, over 500 of Maine’s real estate and development professionals gathered virtually to learn about the latest insights on the real estate economy at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) annual Forecast Conference and Member Showcase. “This is an event people look forward to every January. You learn a lot and you make important connections. This year, we connected in new ways and heard about the incredible work that is being done throughout our state to move Maine forward, and to begin to recover from the pandemic economy,” says Josh Fifield, MEREDA President. From James Marple, a Senior Economist at TD Bank who provided an economic outlook; to Hannah Pingree, Director of the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future who spoke about the Maine Climate Council; to an impressive lineup of industry leaders; speakers were brought together for a virtual conference produced at O’Maine studios following Covid safety protocols. MEREDA streamed the conference with hosts Shannon Richards of Hay Runner and Craig Young of The Boulos Company providing commentary and connectivity throughout the day. Reflecting on a challenging year, presenters were tasked with looking ahead and reporting on the trends impacting their sectors. In navigating the uncertainty of our current times, it seemed everyone was looking for bright spots. Perhaps one of the hardest hit sectors in Maine has been the hospitality industry. Sean Riley of the Maine Course Hospitality Group spoke about how they’ve had to adapt this past year, providing rooms for medical professionals and extended stay options for construction workers. While it has been a devastating year, Riley predicts that Maine hotels will rebound faster than the projected 5-year national recovery scenario laid out by Smith Travel Research. “Everybody is tired of staying home. We think Maine is teed-up big time.” With optimism and heart at the center of his presentation, Riley ended by encouraging collaboration and camaraderie: “We have to spend our time lifting each other up.” Reporting on the retail industry, another sector hard hit by the pandemic, Peter Harrington of Malone Commercial Brokers outlined some of the surprise success stories in retail: from hardware stores to take-out restaurants to athleisure-wear retailers to furniture companies. While Maine will likely continue to feel impacts of the pandemic through 2021, Harrington saw hope for brick-and-mortar retail to rebound: “We haven’t evolved to be people who sit at home in isolation. We need physical connection to each other and many of the products we use.” On the other side of the spectrum was the residential real estate market, which had an incredible year. Dava Davin of the Portside Real Estate Group reported a record 13.8% increase in Maine home prices and $7 billion in total sales. While a lot of activity continues to be centered in Portland, Westbrook saw its largest home sale ever in 2020 with a $1,000,000 single family home. With 33% of buyers from away, Davin questioned how long these new residents will stay in Maine, and how many winters they can weather. It is something she plans to keep her eye on for the future. Areas outside of Portland, like Biddeford, Saco, and Brunswick saw growth in 2020 as well and are predicted to continue to see development in 2021. Dave Holman gave a report on the Midcoast market, highlighting Brunswick Landing, a former Navy Base. This site has been an incredible driver of innovation and growth for the area, having created some 2,200 jobs for the region and attracted both residential and commercial future development projects. While low industrial inventory and construction costs present some challenges to development in the Bangor area, Bev Uhlenhake of Epstein Commercial Real Estate echoed that there are also opportunities that exist in this new landscape: as more and more people work from home, why not decide to work from a beautiful place like Maine. Justin Lamontagne of NAI The Dunham Group reflected in his Industrial Forecast, “There is no larger barrier to commercial real estate than uncertainty.” While the uncertainty of the past year was a barrier and challenge for many Mainers, there were pockets of opportunity throughout the state. Lamontagne saw hope for the industrial sector as Maine-based companies pivoted to produce life-saving equipment and companies like IDEXX, Puritan, and Abbott Labs demonstrated the future possibilities of Life Science companies and manufacturing in Maine. It was also another example of how Maine businesses showcased adaptability and resilience in the face of a devastating economy and pandemic. While there is still much work to be done, MEREDA and its members have their sleeves rolled up to work together and build Maine’s brighter future.

Read Article

Sneak Peek! What to Expect from MEREDA’s 2021 Forecast Conference & Member Showcase!

January 14, 2021

What can you expect from MEREDA's 2021 Virtual Forecast Conference & Member Showcase? We have 20 MEREDA members taking part in our Virtual Member Showcase As usual, the Forecast Conference ...

Read Article

Sneak Peek! What to Expect from MEREDA’s 2021 Forecast Conference & Member Showcase!

January 14, 2021

What can you expect from MEREDA's 2021 Virtual Forecast Conference & Member Showcase? We have 20 MEREDA members taking part in our Virtual Member ShowcaseAs usual, the Forecast Conference will ...

Read Article

Maine’s Leading Real Estate Experts Look to the Future with a Virtual Conference on January 21, 2021

January 7, 2021

PORTLAND, Maine--On Thursday, January 21, 2021, leaders from Maine’s real estate industry will take part in a virtual presentation of the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) Annual Forecast ...

Read Article

« Previous
1
…
15
16
17
18
19
…
49
Next »

MEREDA Blog

Recent Posts

MEREDA’s Morning Menu – MEREDA Welcomes Dr. Habib Dagher, Executive Director, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, UMO

Nominations Now Being Accepted for MEREDA’s 2025 Notable Project Awards

MEREDA Opens Registration for its Annual Forecast Conference

The Right Equation for Responsible Development: Spotlight on Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment (Portland)

Archive

Spotlight on Maine: News from the City of Auburn

Greater Portland Industrial Real Estate Market Update

Central Maine Real Estate Weathering Pandemic, Poised For Growth

The Next Edition of the MEREDA Index will be Unveiled on May 20

MEREDA’s 2021 Spring Conference is May 20th! – Unveiling of the 2021 MEREDA Index & Recognition of 2020 Notable Project Recipients

Midcoast Maine Market Forecast

MEREDA’s Virtual Trivia Night to Benefit Student Scholarship Fund SOLD OUT!

Virtual Event – Senior Housing in Maine: Today, Tomorrow, & Beyond

The Greater Portland Retail Forecast

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Virtual Event – Senior Housing in Maine: Today, Tomorrow, & Beyond

How to comply with Maine’s new paid leave law

Pandemic brings new realtors and new perspectives to Maine

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Virtual Event – Cannabis Industry Update

How COVID 19 Affected Commercial Lending

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Event – Cutting Edge Tech: The University of Maine Composites Center

A Fantastic Group of Five: MEREDA Honors Leaders in Real Estate and Development at Recent Forecast Conference

Focusing on the Adaptability and Resiliency of Maine, MEREDA Brings Real Estate Experts Together to Forecast the Future

Sneak Peek! What to Expect from MEREDA’s 2021 Forecast Conference & Member Showcase!

Sneak Peek! What to Expect from MEREDA’s 2021 Forecast Conference & Member Showcase!

Maine’s Leading Real Estate Experts Look to the Future with a Virtual Conference on January 21, 2021